Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-26
The Question OF Special C0nsta.
bleS for Bath Considered
Yesterday.
Mayor Wakefield Vigorously Op.
poses the Appointment OF
John Bailey.
What Prominent Clergymen OF
Bath have to say In Relation
TO the Matter.
Pardon Cases Considered by the
Governor and Council.

Governor and Council.
The Governor and Council met yester-
day forenoon at 10 o'clock. The matter
of the appointment of Bailey and Holmes
as special constables to enforce the liquor
law in Bath was the first thing under con-
sideration. The following citizens OF
Bath were present to favor the appoint
ment of these men: Rev. j. l.. Hill,
Rev. T. F. White, Rev. j. M. Remick. Ii.
E. Palmer, A. A. Palmer. c. f. Patten,
George A. Futile, p. c.. Oliver. Mayor
Wakefield and ex-City Marshall Crocker
Augustus Huse and William Rogers ap-
peared tor the remonstrants. MIR. James
| Bailey and Solomon S. Holmes were also
present and we're very interested listeners
to the arguments presented on both sides.
| Francis Adams considered Messrs.
Bailey and Holmes as excellent men for
this position. He claimed that the ap-
pointment of constables was a pressing
necessity and that the character of these
men for integrity and earnestness in dis
charge OF their duty was such as to show
them fully competent to act honestly and
without fear as special constables. He
said that Bath was crowded with rum
shops and large amount of liquor was
sold daily. To substantiate this state
ment he submitted the report of the city
marshall of Bath for the year ending
March 1st, showed the number of cases
of drunkenness tor the year to be 102.
He claimed that the law was not enforced
in that city, and called attention to the re-
port of the Attorney General to show that
large number OF the men sentenced to
prison during the year had committed
the crimes charged against them while
under the influence of liquor, Mr.. Adams
also presented the statement of Mr.. H..
A. Duncan. cashier OF the Marine Nation
al Bank. which showed that from April
7th to Oct. 23d, 1887, the number of cases
of drunkenness was 124, much larger than
the whole year previous. Of these, 29
were taken before the court and SO more
unaccounted for.
Mr.. A. G. Palmer presented list OF
80 rum shops in Bath. He said that he
had seen city officials and policemen go
into dram shops with drunken men. 1t
was daily occurrence in Bath to see boys
SO drunk they could not keep on the side
walk, and that the temperance people of
Bath were thoroughly aroused over this
condition of affairs.
Mayor Wakefield said that Mr.. Palmer
had stated something that was news to
him and demanded the names of the
officers who had gone into dram shops to
drink. He said that it was matter that
should be investigated and the officers re.
moved if this statement was found to be
true. Mr.. Palmer was unable to give the
name of but one officer-Constable Long
ley, who is simply ward officer.
Rev. j. l.. Hill, pastor of the Bath
Methodist Church said that he had come
from Scotland, a country cursed by strong
drink, that he had visited various cities in
this State prior to settling in Bath, and
during this time had carefully studied the
cause OF temperance and the matter OF
the enforcement of the liquor laws. He
weeks travelling the streets until nine OF
ten O'Clock at night to satisfy himself re-
gardipg the amount of liquor sold in the
city and the manner in which the law was
enforced. Before he had been in thai
city six weeks he had seen fortysix men
women and boys on the street drunk. Al
the firemen's muster there was large
amount OF drunkenness, and himself anc
Rev. Mr.. Remick had on that day watched
a number of different places where they
thought liquor was sold, and visited thu
Sagadahoc House. Here they soon made
their way to the bar-room and here founc
men drinking over a bar. He at once
sent Rev. Mr.. Remick to notify the mayo
and secure search warrant, while ht
staid on the premises watching. He wa
soon locked into the bar-room and saw
. everything in the shape of liquor being
removed. The officers came and made
mock search but nothing except few
drops of liquor in the bottom of bottle
and the case was dismissed from the mu
nicipal court by the Judge. They ais
watched another house and reported to tn
/, mayor who sent officers who searched tn
place and found liquor, the partie
keeping it being fined 800 and costs.
Rev. J. NJ. Remick stated that he ha'
| been in Bath two years and during tina
time had frequently seen men and boy
drunk on the street. Said he had gon
with the officers to the Sagadahoc Hous
and that they had made poor search.
Mayor Wakefield replied to the state
ments of these gentlemen in most vigor
Gus manner. He desired it understoo
that he did not appear there TO oppose tn
Appointment of constables, but he desire'
the men appointed should be honorabl
parties. He had no objections to the aI
pointment of Mr.. Holmes who was
worthy and upright citizen, who woul
faithfully perform his duties, but he ur
!: derstood the conditions of the case wer
the same now as they were two years az
when Mr.. Holmes refused to accept an ar
peintment unless Mr.. Bailey were also ar
pointed. He claimed that there was reall
$ no necessity of appointing constables an
+. that in proportion to its population ther
was less drunkenness in Bath than an
y other city in the State and that its officer
were faithful in the performance of thei
duties and in the enforcement of the Law
He regretted that fifty-four citizens shoul
!. come TO Augusta to state that the officer
q of Bath were guilty OF such grave ccndut
in the discharge OF their duty. II was
t stigma upon the fair fame OF the city. q
was not called upon to prosecute Grim